Student Resources

This webpage includes resources for students in the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (pOTD) program. If you have any questions regarding the information listed on this page, please reach out to the OT program office.

For more information about the resources provided through the Office of Student Services, please click here.

Distance Learning Student Services

GW Information Technology
In order to access many university systems and resources that are otherwise protected from off-campus access, you will need to use the GW VPN, which creates an encrypted channel from your location to the GW network. You can use WebEx to meet for a group project, consult with a tutor, or even attend class. WebEx is collaborative web conferencing tool that allows for real-time video meetings and sharing of computer content over the internet.

GW Libraries
The GW Libraries support the GW community in teaching, learning, and research. As an off-campus student, the full suite of services provided by GW Libraries are available to you. You can schedule research consultations, search online journals and papers, and have books sent to your home.

Tutoring
Academic Commons provides free peer-to-peer learning services to GW students, regardless of major. Academic Commons specializes in supporting the quantitative courses, including accountancy, chemistry, economics, and mathematics.

Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services recognizes disability in the context of diversity. The team works collaboratively with students, faculty and staff across the campus to foster a climate of universal academic excellence, while also promoting disability culture and GW’s broader diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Mental Health Services
In addition to the support of loved ones, information and basic guidance through the Colonial Health Center's Self Help Library can provide GW students with information and education that can help resolve personal difficulties and help them acquire the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will enable them to take full advantage of the GW experience.

Center for Career Services
The Center for Career Services offers comprehensive career resources for GW degree-seeking students, alumni and international exchange students, ranging from a job-search portal, online résumé and cover letter critique, online interview practice, and identifying strengths and interests.

University Writing Center
The University Writing Center provides assistance to the GW community seeking to strengthen their abilities as writers and to become stronger editors of their own work.

Bookstore
You can purchase textbooks, GW apparel, and technology. Textbooks are also available for rent through the bookstore. Some technology is available at educational discounts.

Student Association
The Student Association is GW’s primary governing and advocacy body for all students at GW. They are a group of committed, passionate Colonials united by the mission to contribute to an even better GW.

MyGW

MyGW is a portal for all GW systems, including GWMail, Blackboard, GWeb, and other university services.

Visit MyGW to:

  • Register
  • View course schedule and grades
  • Access Blackboard
  • Access DegreeMap (advising software)
  • View the University Bulletin for official policies
  • View the academic calendar. 
Advising and Registration

The GWeb registration system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (not including university holidays).

First Step: Access GWeb

  • Go to MyGW.
  • Click "GWeb Info System" on the left sidebar.
  • Log in with your GWid and PIN.

Second Step: Prepare to Register

  • Select "Student Records & Registration" from the GWeb Info System
  • Select "Registration Menu" to access the registration screen
  • Select "Prepare for Registration" to check your eligibility to register, including if there are any holds impacting registration, and information on earned credit hours.

Third Step: Access the Student Records & Registration Menu

  • To search for specific coursework in a given term, select "Register for Classes" and select the appropriate term from the dropdown menu.
  • In the newly populated screen, students can search for specific courses, identify open sections, and identify any course conflicts.
  • Upon identifying a course you would like to register into, select the "add" button to add this to your academic schedule.
  • To drop a class, select your course from the “Summary” page and select “Web Drop” from the actions dropdown menu.
  • To confirm selection, click the "Submit" button. This will lock in your course selection.

If the courses show up as "Web registered on X date," you have successfully registered. Classes usually become available in Blackboard the week before coursework begins.

Note: For more detailed instructions, please visit the Office of the Registrar's website on GWeb Registration Processes.

Adding and Dropping

Classes a student can add or drop classes without penalty until 11:59 pm EST the Sunday before classes start. Any changes to registration after this deadline will incur a penalty. If you must add or drop a class after the first day of classes, please contact your advisor for guidance.

Visit the Course Drop Refund Schedule for current semester dates and deadlines.

Textbooks and Course Materials

Textbooks and course materials are posted 4-6 weeks before the start of each semester. Order books soon after you register to be sure you have them before classes start.

Book information is available via the Schedule of Classes, each course has a link to textbooks and course materials. You can also access this information through the GW Bookstore:

  • Go to GW Bookstore.
  • Click "Books" (blue bar at top), then "Textbooks."
  • For "Select Your Program," default to All Programs in drop box.
  • Select the appropriate term.
  • Select Your Department (i.e. "OT").
  • Select the appropriate section. This should be a DE section (e.g. DE, DE1, DE2).
  • Click "Submit."

 Be sure to use the correct ISBN if you use another vendor.

Paying for Classes

All payments must be received by the first day of class. Please use the Paying for Classes guide for detailed information on the process.

Credit card payments can be used for tuition and other fees for distance education students only.

There is no automatic drop for non-payment. All unpaid balances are subject to a late fee and interest accrual. A financial hold will be placed on all unpaid accounts over $500.

The Student Accounts Office is happy to answer any billing questions. Contact them at sao@gwu.edu or (202) 994-7350 Monday through Thursday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm EST or Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST.

Technology Support

Division of Information Technology (DIT) provides information and support to all GW students Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 10 pm ET. Call (202) 994-GWIT (4948) or email ithelp@gwu.edu.

DIT's Student Technology Guide provides information on accessing your student accounts, security, software, and more.

Academic Resources

Library and Database Access

As a student within the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, your home library is the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library.  The School of Medicine and Health Sciences offers a Himmelfarb Library Online Orientation and The Himmelfarb Library tutorials will familiarize you with the many resources available for students. Additionally, you have access to the university’s main library, the Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library.

ALADIN gives you access to resources from off-campus including material requests from university partner libraries. Use your last name and GWid to log in to ALADIN. If you need assistance with ALADIN, contact the Gelman Library Circulation Desk at (202) 994-6840 or librcirc@gwu.edu and identify yourself as a Health Sciences student.

Off-campus students should use the Virtual Private Network (VPN). Login with your username and password for GWMail. This will allow you to use the online library resources as if you were using an on-campus computer. View the Login From Off-Campus tutorial for step by step instructions.

Several other Research Tutorials are available to provide further information on the research process.

GW Writing Center

The GW Writing Center offers free individual tutoring for GW students. Tutors are available during any stage of the writing process: brainstorming, organizing information efficiently and clearly, developing a strong thesis, addressing grammar and punctuation issues, providing evidence in support of an argument, and presenting the findings of an experiment or the solution to a research problem.

Tutors are available by telephone for off-campus students. Arrangements are required in advance. Email gwriter@gwu.edu to schedule an appointment.

Academic Calendar

This University Academic Calendar includes key academic dates for the semester, such as holidays, exam periods and modifications to class schedules. Some dates are subject to change.

University and Health Sciences Programs Policies

Academic policies for Health Science graduate and undergraduate students, including those related to admission, transfer credits, academic standing, degree requirements, and enrollment status are provided in the following documents:

The Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities contains the following university policies:

Policies on the following topics are provided in the Schedule of Classes

  • Collection of Student Current Address Information
  • Students called to Active Military Duty
  • Religious Holidays
  • Graduation Retention Information
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Directory Information Release of Student Information

GW Higher Education Act Disclosures 

GW annually distributes a notice to all enrolled students regarding the availability of consumer information for prospective and current GW students, faculty and staff in compliance with the Higher Education Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.  Please visit the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Privacy website to review GW's policy on Privacy of Student Records.

GW Policy Finder

Please visit the GW Policy Finder website to review other University policies not listed above. 

Military Student Services

As a military or veteran student we understand you bring unique skills and experiences to GW. Along with those skills and experiences, however, you often face equally unique needs and challenges. The Office of Military and Veteran Student Services offers a range of services and information including a helpful checklist, Yellow Ribbon Program procedures, the certification process and a services center all designed to help you meet those challenges and achieve your academic goals.

For assistance please call (202) 994-9570 or email vetserv@gwu.edu. The office is open:

  • Monday: 0900-1700
  • Tuesday: 0900-1700
  • Wednesday: 1000-1700
  • Thursday: 0900-1700
  • Friday: 0900-1700